The rooftops of the university city of Oxford are seen from the south
west. (Reuters/Peter
Macdiarmid) / Reuters

The Oxford Union has admitted to being “institutionally racist” after causing outrage for advertising a ‘Colonial Comeback’ cocktail on a debate event poster featuring an image of black hands in chains.

The
“outrageous” poster received fierce criticism after it
was shared on social media last Thursday.

The “Colonial Comeback” cocktail was served at an event
organized by Oxford University’s debating society. Flyers to
promote the beverage were posted around the venue.

A former committee member who did not wish to be named told the
Independent: “Several motions were passed including one
declaring the union institutionally racist. It was very
acrimonious.”

A spokesperson for Oxford University, which has no control over
the union, said there is “no place at Oxford for the kind of
crass and insensitive attitude that the material produced by
Oxford Union suggests.”

“While we are confident that it in no way represents the vast
majority of Oxford students, racially insensitive comments or
behavior of this or any kind are unacceptable at Oxford and its
colleges,” they added.

The almost 200-year-old union, which claims to be the most
popular debate society in the world, says it is “the last
bastion of free speech.”